Switch for electric starters.



T. ZIMMERMAN. SWITCH FOB ELECTRIC STARTERS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-13.1915.

1,279,958. Patented Sept. 24, 1918.

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3% a 14mm UNITED srarns PATENT OFFICE.

ZIMMERMAN, 0F NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO U. S. L IG- I-Il &

HEAT CORPORATION, YORK.

or NIAGARA FALLS, New YORK, A ocnrona'rioiv or NEW swrron r'on ELECTRIC sranrnns.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1918.

Application filed December 13, 1915. Serial No. 66,567.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that L-TnoMAs ZIMMERMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Niagara Falls, in the county of Niagara and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switches for Electric Starters, or which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in switches for electric starters.

It is well known that when an internal combustion engine is being started, the spark should be retarded. Obviously, it would be of advantage to provide an anrangement in which the spark would automatically be retarded while the engine is being started.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a starting switch which acts in combination with thespark mechanism of the engine.

Another object is to provide a manual starting switch which, when moved to closed position, will automatically retard the spark and which, when pressure is removed, will automatically move to open position and at the same time, adjust the spark.

Another object is to provide a compact device, rigid in construction, in combination with the spark lever on the steering post of a motor car.

Other objects will appear as the description proceeds,

Referring to the drawings Figure l is a general view looking down on the steering post of a motor car showing this invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a top View of the steering wheel.

Fig. 3 is atop view of the switch.

Fig. at is a sectional side view of the same.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 indicates the steering wheel of a motor car, which steering wheel is mounted on the steering post 11. Pivotally mounted adjacent the steering wheel are the throttle lever 12 and the spark lever 13, which engage the notched segments 14 and 15 in the ordinary manner.

Mounted on the steering post is a clamping member comprising the jaws 16 and 17. Rigidly mounted on the clamping member to one side thereof is the switch box 18. Said switch box is provided with a cover. 19. which is secured to the box by means of a bolt 20 which also serves as a pivot for the switch member 21. Said switch member 21 is provided with a contacting lug 22 bent up at an angle therefrom, which contacting lug is adapted to engage a contact button 23. The contact button is suitably mounted on the box 18, being insulated therefrom, and is adapted to be connected through the wire 24 with the starter mechanism of the inter nal combustion engine (not shown).- The switch member 21 is connected with the starter mechanism through a suitable ground connection. The spring 25, located in the switch box 18, biases the switch member 21 to circuit opening position.

EXtending through a slot 26 in the box' 18 is a lug 27, preferably formed integral with the switch member 21. The lateral movement of the lug 27 is limited by the extent of the slot 26. The lug 27 engages the spark lever 13 and, impelled by the spring 25, urges the spark lever to unretarded position. The contacts 22 and 23 need not be made very heavy as, in the ordinary construction, they will be called upon to carry only the current necessary to operate a relay to control the starter mechanism (not shown).

The mode of operation of the illustrated embodiment of the present invention will be clear from the description given above. When the operator desires to start the internal combustion engine, he will move the spark lever 13 t0 retarded position, thereby moving the switch member 21 to ircuit closing position against the tension of the spring 25. When the engine has been start ed, the operator will release the spark lever 18 which will be moved back to unretarded position by the lug 27 on the spring-pressed switch member 21, the switch contacts 22, 23 being opened by the same movement.

While I have specifically described one embodiment of the present invention, I de-, sire to cover in this patent all those modifications which fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In combination, means for retarding the spark of an internal combustion engine including a spark lever, and a starting switch for said engine, said switch having a spring-pressed member engaging said spark lever.

2. In combination, means for retarding the spark of an internal combustion engine including a spark lever, and a spring pressed starting switch, said switch being provided with a portion adapted to engage said spark lever to urge same to unretarded position.

3. In combination, means for retarding the spark of an-internal combustion engine including a spark lever, and a starting switch biased to open position, said starting switch being provided with means engaging said spark lever, whereby movement of said spark lever operates said switch and whereby return movement of said switch operates said spark lever.

4. In combination, spark timing mechanism, engine starting mechanism, and means whereby operation of the spark timing mechanism causes operation of the engine starting mechanism and operation of the engine starting mechanism causes operation of the spark timing mechanism.

5. In combination, an automobile steering post, switching mechanism clamped thereto, means for retarding the spark of an internal combustion engine including a spark lever pivot-ally mounted adjacent said switching mechanism, said switching mechanism being biased to a certain position and being provided with a projecting portion engaging said spark lever to push said lever to' a certain position whereby movement of said spark lever causes operation of said switch and return movement of said switch causes operation of said spark lever.

6. In combination, a switch member, a spring, means for retarding the spark of an internal combustion engine including a spark lever adapted to engage saidswitch member, said spring serving to-urge said switch member to open circuit position and said spark lever to unretarded position, whereby movement of said spark lever to retarded position will operate said switch member.

7. In combination, the steering post of an automobile, a box attached to said post, said box containing an engine starting switch, a spring in said box biasing said switch to open position, a spark lever, said spring cooperating with said lever to urge same to unretarded position, said lever being adapted when moved toward retarded position to operate said switch to close same.

8. In combination, the steering post of an automobile, a box attached to said post, said box having a cover and containing a pivoted engine starting switch, a spring in said box biasing said switch to open position, a spark lever, said spring cooperating with said lever to urge same to unretarded position, said lever being adapted when moved toward retarded position to operate said switch to close same, said switch being provided with means having the dual function of holding said cover to said box and of constituting a pivot for said switch.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub scribed my name.

' THOMAS ZHIMERMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

